After three convincing wins in as many matches, England have emerged tournament favourites at the T20 World Cup. On 30 October, England beat Australia by eight wickets to consolidate their position at the top of the table in group 1. With the win, England are virtually assured of a semifinal spot.
Contents
Jason Roy Regains Form
Roy’s brutal fifty in the game against Bangladesh on 27 October ensured that England were as effective with the bat as they were with the ball. Their batsmen had clearly prepared for spin as they managed to score 71 runs in eight overs from the Bangladesh spinners while losing just one wicket. Chasing 139, they reached the target with eight wickets and nearly six overs to spare.
Quality of Bowling Key to England’s Dominance
The quality of England’s bowling has been key to their success so far. The spinners have targeted the stumps, while the fast bowlers have bowled back of a length. As they did against the West Indies, England bowlers grabbed two early wickets in the powerplay. Chris Woakes was the pick of the England new-ball bowlers, grabbing the prize wicket of Shakib al Hasan in a three-over spell.
RoRoy Praises Woakes
eaking about Woakes’s bowling after the game on 27 October, Roy said,
Roy Praises Woakes
eaking about Woakes’s bowling after the game on 27 October, Roy said,
LiLivingstone Gives England Sixth Bowling Option
een Ali who provided the breakthrough for England in the powerplay versus the West Indies repeated the feat against Bangladesh when both Naim and Das lost their wickets trying to hit him out of the attack. Against Australia on 30 October, incisive new-ball spells from Woakes (2/23) and Jordan (3/17) left Australia’s batting in tatters. Adil Rashid joined the party, grabbing 1/19 after Morgan introduced the leg spinner in the powerplay. Interestingly, Moeen did not bowl at all in the match. Instead, Morgan gave part-time spinner Liam Livingstone a full quota of four overs in which he grabbed 1/15. Tymal Mills, who proved a bit expensive, managed to grab wickets too as he finished with figures of 2/45.
EnEngland’s Top-Order Batsmen on Song
ter finishing with 21/3 in the powerplay, Australia lost one more wicket to be reduced to 41 for 4 at the halfway stage. Though their lower-order batsmen helped them to 50 runs from the last four overs, the eventual target of 126 was a walk in the park for England’s batsmen.
England’s Top-Order Batsmen on Song
ter finishing with 21/3 in the powerplay, Australia lost one more wicket to be reduced to 41 for 4 at the halfway stage. Though their lower-order batsmen helped them to 50 runs from the last four overs, the eventual target of 126 was a walk in the park for England’s batsmen.Jason Roy, who was earlier underconfident against spin in the powerplay, has reportedly spent time in the nets facing Liam Dawson, England’s reserve left-arm spin bowler. Against the Bangladesh spinners, he preferred to play through the line rather than slog sweep or club the ball down the ground as he used to do, earlier.
The England opener delivered against Australia as well when he combined with Jos Buttler to put on 66 runs in the powerplay. England finished the innings with a flurry of sixes as Buttler and Bairstow got them to the target in fewer than 12 overs.